Looking for a unique Christmas tipple for the whisky fan in your life? Then you should raise a Glass to the English Whisky Festival 2024 in Birmingham!

Calling all whisky lovers! Mark your calendar for a standout event in the heart of Birmingham this November. 

The English Whisky Festival is coming to The Bond in Digbeth on Saturday, 23 November 2024, for the third year, and it promises to be an unforgettable experience for both seasoned whisky enthusiasts and newcomers alike. 

And those who are seeking out a Chirstmas gift with a difference.

What to Expect

The English Whisky Festival is renowned for celebrating the thriving whisky scene in England, showcasing exceptional home-grown talent and bringing together an impressive line-up of distillers and industry experts. 

his year, it’s all about the rich diversity of English whiskies, featuring established names and new distilleries breaking onto the scene. With its scenic canalside location, The Bond in Digbeth is the perfect setting, combining industrial charm with modern appeal.

Tasting Sessions and Masterclasses

One of the festival’s highlights is the opportunity to sample an array of whiskies from across England. With many distilleries offering limited-edition releases and exclusive tastings, this is your chance to sip and savour expressions not typically found in shops. Alongside traditional single malts, look out for creative blends and innovative finishes that showcase the versatility and artistry of English whisky-making.

The festival also offers masterclasses led by experts, giving you a deep dive into the art of whisky-making. Whether you're interested in the science of ageing or the nuances of flavour profiling, these sessions will expand your understanding and appreciation of English whisky.

Meet the Makers

A hallmark of the festival is its community spirit. Guests have the unique chance to meet and chat with the distillers, blenders, and brand ambassadors behind their favourite whiskies. These passionate artisans are keen to share their insights, from the careful selection of ingredients to the intricate ageing processes that define their whiskies. It’s a rare opportunity to gain a personal perspective on the industry and what drives these craftsmen and craftswomen to perfect their craft.

Food, Music, and More

No whisky festival is complete without some fantastic food to complement the drinks. Expect a selection of food stalls offering dishes that pair beautifully with whisky, from cheese platters to smoked meats. Live music performances throughout the day will add to the vibrant atmosphere, making this an event where all your senses are engaged.

Important Details

When: Saturday, 23 November 2024

Where: The Bond, Digbeth, Birmingham

Tickets: Available online – it’s recommended to book in advance as the event is expected to sell out.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a connoisseur or a curious beginner, or looking for a Christmas gift for a whisky lover, the English Whisky Festival is a brilliant way to dive into England’s burgeoning whisky culture. With its unique tastings, informative masterclasses, and the chance to meet the faces behind the bottles, it’s set to be a celebration of English whisky unlike any other.

So, raise your glass and join the festival that brings whisky lovers together – here’s to the English Whisky Festival 2024! Cheers!

Which brands can you see? Confirmed so far are:-

Abingdon Distillery

Ad Gefrin

Adnams

Bankhall

Bimber Distillery

Canterbury Brewers & Distillers

Circumstance

Cooper King Distillery

Masthouse (Copper Rivet)

Cotswolds Distillery

East London Liquor Company

Exploring English Whisky

Ellers Farm

Elsham Wold

English Whisky Co

Fielden

Grasmere Distillery

Henstone Distillery

The Lakes Distillery

Lancaster Spirits Company

Ludlow Distillery

Mercia Whisky

Penrock Distillery

Retribution Distilling Co.

Sacred Spirits

Spirit of Birmingham

One Point Six (Spirit of Manchester)

The Cheshire (Weetwood Distillery)

Wireworks (White Peak)

Whittakers Distillery

Witchmark (Wiltshire distilling Co)

To learn more and to book tickets visit https://www.exploringenglishwhisky.co.uk.

The Perfect Yuletide Hot Toddy: A Warming Comfort for Christmas

As winter settles in and Christmas approaches, there's nothing quite like the warmth and cheer of a hot toddy to lift the spirits—especially if you’re feeling a bit under the weather. 

This classic drink combines the soothing power of hot water, honey, and spices with a splash of whisky or rum, creating a delicious remedy for a sore throat or cold. Let’s get into how to craft the perfect Yuletide hot toddy to keep you cosy this festive season.

Why the Hot Toddy?

The hot toddy has been a trusted remedy for generations, thanks to its comforting ingredients. Here’s what each component brings to the table:

Hot Water: Essential for hydration and warmth, which help ease congestion and soothe scratchy throats.

Honey: Known for its antibacterial properties, honey coats the throat and calms a cough while adding a hint of sweetness.

Lemon: High in Vitamin C, lemon adds a citrusy brightness and can boost immunity.

Whisky or Rum: A small splash (or more, if you prefer) helps to relax, warms from the inside, and can relieve minor aches.

Spices (Cinnamon and Cloves): These add festive flair while providing additional antibacterial and antiviral benefits.

Ingredients for the Perfect Hot Toddy

To make a classic Yuletide hot toddy, you’ll need:

1 mug of hot water (not boiling)

1-2 teaspoons honey (Manuka honey, if you have it, for extra immune benefits)

1-2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about a quarter of a lemon)

1 shot (25-50 ml) whisky or dark rum

1 cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon) 

2-3 cloves

Optional:

Star anise for added warmth and flavour

Thin slice of fresh ginger if you fancy an extra kick

How to Make the Perfect Hot Toddy

Start with a mug: Pour the hot water into your favourite festive mug to warm it up. Swirl it around, then pour out the water to keep your drink hot.

Add the Honey and Lemon: Add the honey and lemon juice to your empty mug. Stir to blend them well. The warmth of the water will dissolve the honey quickly and help release the lemon’s natural oils.

Pour in the Alcohol: Add your choice of whisky or rum. For a more robust toddy, go with whisky; for something smoother, rum works beautifully.

Infuse with Spices: Drop in the cinnamon stick and cloves. If you’re using star anise or fresh ginger, add them now as well. Let everything steep for a couple of minutes to bring out the rich, spicy notes.

Top with Hot Water: Pour in the hot water, being careful not to let it boil, as boiling water can diminish the flavours of the honey and alcohol.

Garnish and Enjoy: Add a slice of lemon or orange for a festive touch and an extra dose of Vitamin C. Let the toddy sit for a minute before sipping to allow the spices to infuse fully.

Customising Your Yuletide Hot Toddy

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” for the perfect hot toddy. Here are a few ways to tailor it to your tastes:

Add Fresh Herbs: A sprig of rosemary or thyme adds a savoury twist and is packed with antioxidants.

Try Herbal Tea: Instead of plain hot water, use a soothing herbal tea like chamomile, peppermint, or ginger. This creates an extra layer of flavour and can bring additional health benefits.

Sweeten to Taste: If honey isn’t your favourite, try maple syrup or a spoonful of golden syrup for a different kind of sweetness.

When to Enjoy Your Hot Toddy

A hot toddy is perfect in the evening, whether you're winding down by the fire or easing the symptoms of a cold. The blend of warmth, honey, and spices can help you drift off to sleep and feel relaxed during the season’s most hectic moments.

Remember, while the hot toddy is deliciously comforting, it’s still an alcoholic drink, so enjoy in moderation. If you’re taking medication or are unwell, a non-alcoholic toddy—substituting the whisky or rum with apple cider or simply more water—can still be just as soothing.

A Toast to Health and Comfort

The Yuletide hot toddy is more than just a drink; it’s a symbol of the warmth and comfort we seek during the winter months. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or enjoying a quiet moment alone, this toddy will bring you both cheer and calm. So, wrap yourself in a cosy blanket, put on your favourite Christmas jumper, and let the magic of this festive drink work its charm.

Here’s to health, warmth, and a very merry Christmas!

PS I wrote this after sipping on a hot toddy very kindly mixed for me by my wife!)

Traditional Scottish Christmas Foods and Drinks

Scotland, with its rich history and deep-rooted traditions, has a culinary landscape as diverse as its landscapes. During the festive season, Christmas brings forth a glorious array of traditional dishes and drinks that have been enjoyed for centuries. 

The cold winter nights in Scotland are warmed by hearty meals and rich beverages, each with its own unique Scottish twist. 

In this post, we’ll explore some of the most iconic traditional Scottish Christmas foods and drinks that continue to be a part of festive celebrations across the country.

1. Roast Goose or Turkey

While Christmas turkey is a familiar sight across the UK, in Scotland, roast goose has historically been the bird of choice for Christmas dinner. The rich, flavoursome meat of the goose, often accompanied by traditional stuffings made from oatmeal, sage, and onions, offers a festive alternative to the more commonly found turkey. Today, many households will opt for turkey, but goose still has its place as a delicious nod to times past.

2. Clapshot

This warming Scottish side dish, traditionally served alongside Christmas dinner, is a blend of mashed neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), often flavoured with butter and chives. Originating from the northern regions, particularly Orkney, clapshot is a perfect accompaniment to roasted meats and gravies, adding a comforting touch of Scotland to the Christmas table.

3. Cranachan

A classic Scottish dessert that often makes an appearance during festive celebrations, cranachan is made with layers of whipped cream, toasted oats, fresh raspberries, and a generous splash of whisky. This indulgent treat is both light and rich, offering a fruity and boozy finish to a Christmas feast. Some modern recipes replace raspberries with other seasonal fruits, but the whisky and oats remain key to this Scottish favourite.

4. Black Bun

Black bun, a dense fruitcake cunningly wrapped in pastry, is a festive delight that’s traditionally associated with Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). However, it often makes its way onto Christmas tables as well. Packed with currants, raisins, spices, and whisky, black bun is incredibly rich and flavourful, perfect for those who enjoy a hearty slice of fruitcake during the festive season. Its origins date back to the time of Mary, Queen of Scots, and it’s a lasting symbol of Scotland’s culinary heritage.

5. Cullen Skink

A traditional Scottish soup, Cullen skink is made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. It’s a comforting dish often served as a starter on Christmas Day. This soup hails from the town of Cullen in Moray and is known for its rich, creamy texture and distinct smoky flavour. It’s a perfect way to warm up during a cold Scottish Christmas.

6. Shortbread

No Scottish Christmas would be complete without the presence of shortbread. This buttery biscuit is a beloved part of the festive season and is often shaped into rounds, fingers, or festive designs for Christmas. While shortbread can be enjoyed year-round, its crumbly texture and rich taste make it a must-have during the holidays. It’s commonly gifted in beautiful tins or enjoyed with a warm cup of tea or coffee.

Traditional Scottish Christmas Drinks

There has to be some classic drinks to accompany the delicious Christmas foods. Here are a few of the most beloved Scottish beverages that make the rounds during the festive period.

1. Whisky

It’s impossible to talk about Scottish Christmas drinks without mentioning whisky. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a warming cocktail, whisky is a staple of Christmas in Scotland. Many households will offer a dram (or two) of whisky to guests as part of the festivities. Some use whisky in cooking, adding a splash to gravies or desserts like cranachan. Single malts and blended whiskies are both enjoyed, and it’s not uncommon to see whisky glasses raised for a Christmas toast.

2. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine, or Gløgg as it's known in some parts of Europe, has found a home in Scottish Christmas celebrations. Infused with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, mulled wine is a warming drink perfect for warding off the winter chill. Many Scottish families will brew their own mulled wine, often adding a touch of whisky or brandy to give it a local twist.

3. Hot Toddy

A classic Scottish winter warmer, the hot toddy is the perfect antidote to the cold December nights. Made with whisky, honey, lemon, and hot water (sometimes with the addition of spices such as cloves or cinnamon), the hot toddy is both a festive drink and a remedy for the common cold. It’s a cosy and comforting beverage, often enjoyed around the fire with family and friends.

4. Atholl Brose

Atholl brose is a traditional Scottish drink that combines whisky, oats, honey, and cream. It’s named after the Duke of Atholl, who, according to legend, used this drink to capture his enemies by spiking their water with it. Today, it’s a sweet and indulgent drink that is perfect for Christmas celebrations. Its creamy, slightly thick texture and the sweetness of the honey make it a delightful festive treat.

Final Thoughts

Scottish Christmas foods and drinks are steeped in tradition and history, offering a unique and delicious way to celebrate the festive season. From rich roasts to indulgent desserts, and from hearty soups to warming whiskies, Scotland's festive fare is as diverse and robust as the country itself. Whether you're Scottish by heritage or simply looking to add a Scottish touch to your Christmas, these traditional foods and drinks are sure to bring warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations.

So, this Christmas, why not raise a glass of whisky or tuck into a slice of black bun as you embrace the festive spirit, Scottish style?

Mangrove Welcomes Two New Japanese Whiskies Into World-Class Portfolio

Two prominent Japanese whiskies have joined forces with Mangrove Global's stellar portfolio of world whiskies. Brought to European markets by Whiskies du Monde, the Akashi and Yamazakura whiskies will bring a fresh and exciting new offering to UK world whisky lovers – and be the first Japanese whiskies in the Mangrove portfolio. 

The two independent brands will make the most of Mangrove's category and industry knowledge, to extend their reach across both the on and off-trade, competing with the bigger players in the UK whisky market.

Akashi has an impressive back story, coming from the White Oak, Eigashima distillery, which was the first in Japan to receive a whisky licence back in 1919. Today the distillery is quite experimental, innovating with different cask finishes, ranging from sake to red wine. Akashi is a popular whisky in Japan and is representative of the typical style enjoyed by Japanese whisky drinkers.

The spirit is already available in the UK through Waitrose, Amazon and selected bars, but Mangrove's aim will be to not only raise awareness of the quality liquid, but also to broaden distribution into specialised retail and the best of the on-trade.

The second whisky, Yamazakura Single Malt, is completely new to the UK and is the super-premium variety in the range, a selection of whiskies created at the Asaka distillery. The Asaka Distillery is the only one of its kind in Japan's Tohoku region, and benefits from the area's rich natural resources, including fresh water from one of the country's largest lakes. The distillery only produces for 150 days of the year, with a small team of four people - which means there are only 10 barrels produced of the single malt, annually.

Using precise and historic methods of Japanese whisky production, Yamazakura Single Malt is refined, elegant, and truly different from the standard Scotch and Irish varieties. Now owned by one of Japan's longest-standing spirits producers, Sasanokawa Shuzo, there is 200 years of expertise poured into the design of this exceptional small-batch drink.

Vincent Faesch, Area Manager for Europe at Whiskies du Monde, said: “Japanese whisky is an incredible genre of spirit and there is such care and attention going into each bottle, especially when it comes to export. UK whisky fans are becoming increasingly aware of how rewarding world whisky is as a category, and why the freedoms that international producers have create liquids that can be quite different from Scotch.

“Both Akashi and Yamazakura offer a wonderful drinking experience – and are must-have bottles within any whisky collection.”

Japanese whisky has successfully challenged the traditional Scotch market for many years, thanks to the precision and care taken by Japanese distillers. The timing for these brands to enter the UK market is ideal. Japanese whisky has entered an exciting new period of transparency, with the introduction of new classification rules which safeguard the quality of the liquids in the bottle. As well as this, here in the UK, the popularity of World Whisky is increasing exponentially.

Nick Gillett, Managing Director at leading UK spirits distributor Mangrove Global said: “At Mangrove, we've been championing world whiskies for a long time now, and no world whisky portfolio is complete without some quality Japanese spirits.

" Akashi and Yamazakura are two very different spirits, but together they authentically represent how whisky is enjoyed in Japan. Each delicious in their own right, we'll bring these two category leaders to a wider reach of customers, all while introducing world whisky lovers to the wonders of Japanese distilling.”

Discover more about Mangrove's portfolio of quality independent brands, including world whiskies, at mangroveuk.com.

The Whisky World Unveils Exclusive Single Cask Christmas Malt from Bimber Distillery

The Whisky World, an online retailer which focuses on retailing only the best in fine spirits, is thrilled to announce the release of its exclusive limited edition Christmas single malt from the renowned Bimber Distillery. 

This exceptional whisky, distilled at Bimber's London home and bottled from a single cask, is being exclusively sold at www.thewhiskyworld.com

Bimber Distillery, which is situated in North Acton, is well known for its unwavering commitment to producing top-quality, single malt whisky. 

This limited edition Christmas whisky is no exception and has been bottled after careful maturation in a single Pedro Ximénez cask. The resulting single malt is one that’s perfect to leave out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve, as it features a sleigh-load of raisins, sultanas and liquorice alongside with rich yule logs and spiced fruits. 

These festive flavours are enhanced by the bottling strength of 56.7% and reflected in the striking label featuring Father Christmas. Only 265 bottles are available and were put on sale at the beginning of December; and this surprise release is expected to sell very quickly, so do get your orders in quickly.

The Whisky World's commitment to offering premium and unique whiskies aligns perfectly with Bimber’s ethos of producing exceptional single malts, starting with the grain grown on their own farm and ending with their direct-fire stills and hand-selected casks. 

Says Abe Lubelsky of The Whisky World: "This exclusive limited edition Christmas single malt is a true gem and a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of Bimber Distillery. We are thrilled to present this extraordinary and very festive whisky to whisky connoisseurs for Christmas 2023" 

What does it taste like?

Tasting notes from The Whisky World

Nose: Candied orange peel, Terry's chocolate orange, vanilla-iced gingerbread men, glacé cherries, dates, sultanas, a malty, toasted oak undertone. Notes of Christmas brandy, apricot jam and elvas plums follow on. 

Palate: Rich hot chocolate - the kind made from proper chocolate flakes - with cream on top. Sherry-soaked Christmas cake that's bursting with cherries, raisins, ginger, almond flakes and cinnamon. 

Finish: Baking spice, sherry oak and rich, juicy chocolate-covered cherries linger in a very festive finale.